Competition from UberX, Lyft has D.C. taxis crying foul

EXCERPT: “These platforms are enabling people to do business in ways they never could before,” said Janelle Orsi, executive director of the Oakland, Calif.-based Sustainable Economies Law Center. “These platforms offer ways to connect with each other really easily, which has a lot of benefits in creating income for people but is really shaking up the market.”

Hailing a ride in D.C. has changed. No more standing on a street corner waving your arms in the air. No more fumbling with cash and coins.

After years of complaints about a taxi system that was less than dependable, smartphones have opened the door to upstarts such as UberX, Lyft and Sidecar. And these app-based ride-sharing services are giving cab drivers in the District and around the region serious competition for customers...